Originally posted by Mahra:

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Hi!

What if I want to back up my DVD-R. Should I folow the same guide or there is a difference between store bought DVDs and DVD-R?

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if there DVDs that have already been backed up(with the copy protection removed) then all you need is a disc copier like imgburn or nero

Originally posted by Vrex:

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Ryu77,
This is what I was getting at. In fact, I believe an entire 2 hr Blu-ray movie will fit on a single 4GB DVDR (in 720p) in mpeg4. This would be an alternative for backing up BD titles, at least until the cost of BD blanks comes down. Someone might consider writing a guide to do this.

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I think you might need to check the links in my signature, especially "The complete HD (Blu-ray/HD-DVD) back-up and transcoding thread". It has almost all of the tools you will need for HD video. I am continually working on this thread and I intend to post some of my own detailed guides soon.

Or... You could even check this thread where I listed a step by step guide for compressing a BD disc to fit onto a DVD-5/DVD-9: http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_jump.cfm/646621/3916260

I have used this method many times for HD material. Even at 720p... Using AVC (h264) to fill a DVD-5 (4.35GB) annihalates a regular DVD quality wise, not to mention 1080p encodes on DVD-9's.


PS: ZoSoIV, I just noticed you added me to your buddies list!... Buddied back. :-D

Hello and thanks for this thread ZoSoIV.

I'm brand new to DVD copying/creation having, as yet, never burned a DVD so any advice will be greatly appreciated. I'm doing my homework first and have a question:
I own Nero/Nero Recode and of course have all the Freeware recommended in this thread. If I understand the advice given so far the recommended sequence for copying a DVD is:

1) Rip with DVDFab
2) Possibly clean up the rip with FixVTS or VOB Blanker
3) Transcode with DVD Shrink
4) Burn with Imgburn or Nero or DVD Decrypter
Uses 3 separate pieces of software: DVDFab, DVD Shrink, Imgburn (etc.), with possible use of FixVTS.

Since I own Recode can I reduce the software required by using this sequence:

1) Rip with DVDFab
2) Possibly clean up the rip with FixVTS or VOB Blanker
3) Transcode with Nero Recode
3a) Burn with Nero Recode/Nero
Uses 2 separate pieces of software: DVDFab, Nero Recode/Nero, with possible use of FixVTS.


Questions:

Does Nero Recode do as good or better than DVD Shrink for Transcode?
I'm assuming the actual burn phase is handled equally well by any of the software - correct?
I will use whatever sequence that will give the better quality unless one requires *hours* more time to achieve a marginal increase in quality.
I'd appreciate any advice or opinions on the above or an entirely new approach if it gives the better quality with good compatability.

Thanks.

Amanita54 YES nero recode 2 will work fine instead of using dvd shrink, i should add that to my list. and yes it works as well as dvd shrink other then dvd shrink has a Deep Analysis option for higher compressed movie, doing the movie only is your best choice.

so

1) Rip with DVDFab
2) Possibly clean up the rip with FixVTS or VOB Blanker
3) Transcode with Nero Recode
3a) Burn with Nero

will work fine

or

you can use anydvd behind nero recode and then burn.

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I'm assuming the actual burn phase is handled equally well by any of the software - correct?

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yes pretty much. most here like imgburn over nero to burn but if you aren't have any trouble burning with nero your fine the most important thing is to use good media like Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim and even Sony burning at 6x to 8x max!

hope this helps you out

ZoSoIV,

Indeed it does help and is reassuring that at least I'm on the right track so far.

The back story on this is that this is really for a non-computer literate friend who wants to do a variety of DVD burning. Since I know more about computers than he it is easier for me to learn to do it and then show him and give him a cheat sheet so he doesn't struggle for a few days trying to understand what is going on... ergo, the desire to keep it as simple as possible with the least amount of different software involved. He would have an hard time understanding that each phase is handled by a different piece of software.

He already has TY DVD+R 16X media that I recommended he purchase. I didn't want to screw around with dicey media for the initial attempts. Also have some Sony MIT +R 16X made by Sony according to the code so we'll try those after things are running smoothly. Will try the burns at 8X to start as you suggested. I've no problem going down to 6X or 4X if needed; heck, I still burn my CDs at 8-12X.

I'm sure I'll have more questions for a different thread as we get into this. He bought a USB device that captures VCR, Vid Cam, etc outputs to burn as DVDs. Its not an AIW card. I haven't even opened the box to see what we're dealing with, but first we gotta' walk before we can run. I'm sure the device he bought is akin to sandals rather than running shoes unfortunately. Looking into my crystal ball... I predict problems.

Thanks for your help.

I have seen it mentioned severeal times, that Recode does not have the Advance Analysis quality setting, in different forums, so I don't know if is something that older versions of Nero Recode did not have. I've been using it for some time now, and I always remember this setting.Nero Recode does have the Advance Analysis option for higher compressions.
I have seen in many threads(especially in those silly, pointless ones like "Help me, Nero does not autoburn when I use DVD Shrink"!!!). Tons of people have Nero and have no ideea on how to use it, they just use it to burn music and maybe convert an Avi to DVD using Nero Vision(which we all know what a pain in the arse can be, and even to this day they did not figure out how to make it handle subtitles on its own!).
Nero Recode works excellent, DVDFab HD Decrypter and Recode is all I use. Nero Recode is actually I think the only application worth purchasing from the entire bloated Nero package. I use Recode to convert my videos/movies for phone format, mpeg4 for standalone DVD players, backup my DVDs. Although we're talking about a Nero application, I can actually give Recode a 5 star rating out of 5!




Edit: I am using Nero 7.

Thanks for the info cyprusrom. I'm using Nero6. I've just been reading various Recode2 articles and they all show it to have Advanced Analysis checkbox in the Burn page. If so you can bet I'll use the 2-pass option. Any idea what "High quality mode (slow recording)" is about? I wonder how it differs from "Advanced Analysis" 2-pass in terms of quality. I guess I'll have to read the Recode .pdf and see if they explain.

If you have been using DVDFab HD Decrypter and Recode with good success, have you thought about writing a quick tutorial on the process? I haven't found one here written for these two apps used together. (which doesn't mean it doesn't exist, just that I haven't found it yet if it does.)

Have fun.

There isn't really much to write about it, everything is already done. The process is exactly the same as if one would use DVD Shrink, just the interface is different. Same features, main movie, re-author, full dvd...

cyprusrom,

"The process is exactly the same..."

True.

I've read the .pdf and the "High quality mode (slow recording)" option is described thusly:

"7. The files are recoded after analysing the original material. If the check box is activated, the recording is done in 'High-quality mode', which improves the quality, but takes more time."

A rather obscure description, but I take it to mean that the program is doing error checking against the original source. The .pdf shows both buttons checked. I guess it can't hurt to recode in 2 passes with error checking turned on.

Thanks for the help.

I use the "Slow Recoding" very seldom(for example "The Transformers", movie only and still required high compression). Other than that, I use the "Advanced Analysis". I cut the studio intro logo at the bebining of the movie and the credits at the end(sometimes adds up to a couple hundread MB).

good info cyprusrom i don't use recode 2 much and forget it had a Advance Analysis setting i will remember that now.

and Amanita54 if you want really good quality you have the option to use DVD Rebuilder , its an encoder vs a transcoder but it does takes longer

Originally posted by ZoSoIV:

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and Amanita54 if you want really good quality you have the option to use DVD Rebuilder , its an encoder vs a transcoder but it does takes longer

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Thanks ZoSoIV, but I think I'd better stick with conventional copying for a while. Maybe in a while, but so far I'm relatively happy with the results (see the following).

****************************************************

Success. Just letting you know that DVDFab - Recode worked for me.

The first project:
1) DVDFab --> HDD taking only "Main Movie"
2) Didn't use FixVTS
3) Recode2 --> DVD using "Advanced analyses" 2-pass.
Funny thing is, I missed the Burn Speed setting and burned at Recode's default which was "Maximum". Recode used 20X with a Samsung 20X burner and TY 16X +R media. Watching this I thought - "Well, first try, first coaster", but the thing plays great in a Sylvania stand-alone.
Recode also automatically set booktype to DVD-ROM.
Recopied at 8X and I can see no difference.


The second project (different movie):
Same settings only I made sure to stay at 8X. This one I played around with cutting the intro to the start of the actual movie and the credits to after the actors/characters. That reduced compression by about 3%. Good results I think.


The third project (different movie - The Silence of the Lambs):
Same settings. On this one there is a slight but noticeable degradation in image quality on the copy. The image is darker and there is less detail contained. Still not bad.

All played with no problems on a Sylvania stand-alone. This is essentially the sequence that cyprusrom related, so for those with Nero6 (or Nero7 via cyprusrom) all you need is the Recode2 package and then install just one extra piece of software - DVDFab and you're all set. It worked for a total newbie like me.

Thanks guys.

great glad everything worked out for you Amanita54

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Recopied at 8X and I can see no difference.

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you won't as far as picture quality as long as it plays back ok BUT if you would to do a quality scan in nero 8x vs 20x you should get a much better scan with the 8x burn compared to the 20x burn give it a try and see

Hi!


Every time I try to back up my DVD-R copies I receive a message that there is no VOB file: VTS 01*. VOB. VOB SET 8 10 227905622792112279154TCE. I use CloneDVD2 and AnyDVD with no result.
I can easely watch the movies but I can not copy them although the copy protection has been removed by some other person.
I am a beginner and would like to know if there is any solution to this problem.

so there probably downloaded movie files? which could be MPEG-4/DivX/XVID/AVI/MP4 files that aren't compatible with clonedvd.

have you tryed just using a disc copier like nero or imgburn etc.?

i use AntDVD (latest version) to rip to hd then shink then imageburn works grat

Originally posted by Mar000:

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i use AntDVD (latest version) to rip to hd then shink then imageburn works grat

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let me correct that for you

I use anydvd (latest version) to rip to the HDD then dvd shrink then imgburn works great.

is that better ^^^^ lol